MLD2K: Days in the Mountains of Mindanao

View from Mt. Maagnaw where Mt. Kitanglad and Mt. Dulang-dulang peaks can be seen. 

Mindanao 5. Our most anticipated climb of the year organized by Challenge the Summit.The normal K2DLM climb became MLD2K as we trudged on the reversed-traversed trail. We passed by 5 peaks (hence the Mindanao 5 for 5 peaks) as follows:

1. Mt. Maagnaw Peak, 8th highest peak in the country
2. Langkayugan Peak
3. Bato Peak
4. Mt. Dulang-dulang Peak, the second highest peak in the country
5. Mt. Kitanglad Peak, the 4th highest peak in the country

It was indeed a challenging climb. Our eager for adventure bones were fed with  exhaustion and cold by the steep slopes. Bu even with tiredness seeping in as we walk, the soul by and by gets a good dose of the rejuvenating prowess of the mountains.  I'd like to share some memories to remember. The mountains continuously transform as the days go by and I'd like to immortalize the enchanting scenery we were offered in the days we spent hiking in the mountains of Mindanao.

Day 0.  Overnight at Lantapan, Bukidnon Before the Day of the Climb
Before doing the actual climb, it's customary to undergo a ritual. The mountains are considered as sacred abode for otherworldly entities. As a form of respect, every hiker should undergo the necessary ritual performed by the barangay's Datu. It's also believed that the ritual will protect hikers along the way.

We had an overnight stay at this place. This was were the ritual before the climb was performed by the place's Datu.

Day 1. Start of the Climb to Maagnaw Peak/Campsite
We rode a tricycle on the way to the jump off point at the foot of Maagnaw Mountain. It was mostly assault and a lengthy open field trail until you reach the campsite. Better to prepare a long sleeved
hiking shirt as you'll pass by throngs and throngs of cogon grasses which can gift you a lot of cuts depending on your choice of hiking clothes. We started our hike at around 8 AM and reached the campsite at around 3:30 PM.

Such a fine weather at the start of day. 

Quick group picture at the  foothill of Mt. Maagnaw

Good shade at the forested beginning part of the trail

Within the healthy foliage

Slightly muddy with slippery fallen leaves trail

View as we started to gain height

Voila! View of Peak of Mt. Maagnaw on the open field trail

My ever dearest. By and by we'll pass by shaded areas too and here, we took a quick rest. 

Quick rest. 

We were able to catch up with the rest of the group who were ahead of us for another brief rest. 

Pitcher plants!

Parts of the trail give a dangerous view from up above

Look at the clouds

Another pic along the way

So close yet so far. Clearer view of Mt. Maagnaw Peak

Arriving at the peak and setting up shelter for the night. 

Morning picture with the group. 

Mt. Kitanglad Peak as viewed from Mt.Maagnaw

Mt. Dulang-dulang as viewed from Mt. Maagnaw

Good weather at the start of the day

Day 2. From Mt. Maagnaw- Bato Peak- Langkayugan Peak- Mt. Dulang-Dulang Peak/Campsite

The start of the hike was a descend from Mt. Maagnaw Peak and then ascent to Bato and Langkayugan peaks then a stop to camp at Mt. Dulang-dulang. We started the hike at around 8 AM and reached the campsite at 4 PM. The trail mostly has moss-covered rocks. There are several areas where ropes have been set up as  an add on safety to rappel down the trail. I couldn't stress enough the need to be very careful along the way as cliffs very much pose high threat. After passing two peaks, the climb to Mt. Dulang-dulang offers another set of adventure and loveliness. The trail to the second highest peak in the country is laced with roots from the abundance of moss-covered trees. The campsite itself was a bewitching realm.The cold is another story. Just prepare as the drop of temperature would make you not want to leave the comfort of your sleeping bag.

The descend 

Both Mt. Kitanglad Peak and Mt. Dulang-dulang peak are in the photo. 

Another day, another hike

Mt. Langkayugan Peak

Moss-covered trees along the way

Trail to Mt. Dulang-dulang campsite

Another photo break

The trail mostly looks like this

Roots laced the forest floor

Crawl if you must 

More of the magical world of moss

Almost at the campsite now. 

At last, the campsite

Preparing for the night

Break camp

Chilling with enchanting trees

Before leaving the campsite

Peak of Mt. Dulang-dulang

 Day 3. From Mt. Dulang-Dulang Peak/Campsite to Mt. Kitanglad
There was a slight drizzle of rain at the start of the hike to Mt. Kitanglad. We did another descend from Mt. Dulang-dulang and then after exiting the forest, a never ending uphill greeted us all the way to Mt. Kitanglad. There was this part of the mountain where we had to use a rope for a good 10-15 minutes in order to climb up. The local guides had to take our backpacks to help ease out the difficulty of the climb. After the rope part, it was just like another 30 minutes to reach the cabin where we will be staying the night. We started the hike at 9 AM and arrived at around 3:30 PM

First rope part 

Second rope part 

Me at the second part where we had to use a rope to rappel down

View of Mt. Kitanglad from the trail 

Clearer view of the mountain

Never ending uphill part 

Most difficult part of the 3rd day climb, another rope moment

End point of the 10-15 minutes climb using a rope

The peak of the mountain with several cell sites, expect no signal at the peak still

At last we arrived

Cabin where we stayed for the night

Closer view of the cell sites

Weather indicator based on the condition of the stone. Amazing!

Foggy pic at the roofdeck

Pic of how it looks like from the rooftop

We're at a higher elevation than the clouds behind us. Cool!

Group picture before descending

Day 4.  Leaving Mt. Kitanglad

The descend from the peak of Mt. Kitanglad marked our last day of the climb. The trail along the way has tree-covered parts and open area. There are also  metal stairs along the way and still, the never ending slippery rocks. We passed by on one are where there are remnants of land slides in the mountain.

Hello stairs

Cliff along the way

Post-landslide area

End of hike photo. Reaching the exit point of Mt. Kitanglad. 

 Putting yourself in a situation to test how far you can go will make you realize how much your body and mind can handle. I would say we are more resilient than we think we are.Thank you to Challenge the Summit for organizing the event (great food and awesome event organizer Sir Vallant) and to the local guides who were so helpful.

And just to share our expenses (excluding extra expenses for food not included during the climb and room accommodation at Cagayan de Oro for two nights):
Airfare back and forth- Php 3, 000.00
Event Fee including guide/porter guide fees- Php 5,000.00
Event shirt- Php 400.00
Food for the whole climb-Php 2,500.00
Van from Airport to Cagayan de Oro- Php 150.00
Bus from Cagayan de Oro to Malaybalay Bukidnon- Php 150.00
Multicab from Malaybalay Bukidnon to Lantapan Bukidnon- Php 100.00
Multicab from Kitanglad exit point to highway- Php 100.00
Bus to Cagayan de Oro- Php 150.00
Van from Cagayan de Oro to Airport  via Lax Shuttle- Php 199.00
                                                                                                  Total: Php 11,649.00